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As we close out the final chapter of 2024, most travelers are seeking out sunny escapes such as Florida, Mexico, and even as far as Europe’s sunniest region, the Algarve.
On the flip side, some of us embrace the coldest season of the year for epic winter wonderlands like Colorado and Alaska, as well as endless Christmasy destinations across Europe.
But Wisconsin probably didn’t cross your mind, did it?
A local report from the ‘Badger State’ indicates the Midwest’s new tourism hotspot is Wisconsin’s lesser-known winter wonderland, and it’s surely not a household name.
Nestled between Madison, Milwaukee, and stunning Lake Superior is a hidden gem with soaring visitor numbers – and no, it’s not the land of cheese and football either.
An enchanting region dotted with thrilling winter sports experiences, timeless towns, and sprawling postcard-worthy landscapes, among other surprising delights, is none other than Chippewa Valley.
Ever heard of it?
Small Town Charm And Popular Breweries
A visit to Chippewa Valley will transport you to a Hallmark movie. Picture winding backroads lined with snow-dusted pines and small towns oozing rustic charm with down-home diners and quaint shops.
If there is one town you might have heard of – keyword: might – is the lovely town of Eau Claire, considered to be the ‘North Star’ of Chippewa Valley.
This artsy college town transforms into a quintessential white Christmas getaway and offers a broad range of historic inns to trendy boutique hotels with live jazz.
Next up on the Chippewa Valley wheel is similarly named Chippewa Falls, an idyllic winter escape with a picturesque town center, circa 1900’s Bed and Breakfasts, and popular Leinenkugel’s Brewery, which you’ve likely seen their products on your local supermarket’s shelves.
What makes this brewery extra special is the Leinie Lodge, where you can enjoy insightful tours of the brewery grounds and sip on $5 drafts during regular business hours and $2.50 beers for ‘Happy Hour’.
Make sure to check out their seasonal beers, like fan-favorite Snowdrift Vanilla Porter or my personal favorite, Summer Shandy.
These are their winter hours through March:
Sunday – Wednesday
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Thursday – Saturday
10:00am – 8:00pm
Travel Tip: Check out Chippewa Falls’ events page for fun winter activities like Irvine Park’s Christmas Village.
Rustic Cabins And Snow-Dusted Pines: Lake Wissota Is A Local’s Favorite Escape
Next door to Chippewa Falls is tranquil Lake Wissota State Park, perfect for those willing to brave the cold and enjoy all the fun activities that snow brings.
One unique attraction is the opportunity to ice fish, but just be aware that ice thickness is not monitored.
For the more adventurous, circle your calendars for January 15, 2025 for an evening candlelit gathering for skiers, snowboarders, and hikers for winter thrills past sundown.
The park boasted roughly 8 miles of well-groomed trails for skiers, 10 miles for snowshoeing, and another 5 equipped for snowmobiles leading deeper into Chippewa County’s extensive trail system.
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the magical scenery surrounding Lake Wissota.
There are numerous cozy cabins lining the lake and into the forest listed on Airbnb and Vrbo.
If it were me, I’d be all over Inn On Lake Wissota.
Highly rated, conveniently located, and offering fire pit seating with up-close lake views, it’s easy to see why one recent guest boasted, ‘One of the best places we’ve ever stayed! You’ll love it here and not want to leave!’.
Wisconsin’s Uptick In Tourism
Also listed in WQOM’s report is Wisconsin’s overall uptick in tourism.
Frequently overlooked as a go-to destination, Milwaukee, Madison, and Wisconsin’s sliver of the Great Lakes are too often overlooked.
However, the outdoor recreation sector grew 9.4%, which speaks to Chippewa Valley’s appeal.
While official statistics aren’t quite tallied up for 2024, it’s expected Chippewa Valley will see an even bigger spike, and locals are thrilled to see the economy booming.
With overtourism and even gentrification being a big concern nowadays, there can never be too many welcoming destinations.
Wisconsin is full of delights beyond Chippewa Valley as well, so when you visit, don’t let it be your end-all-be-all getaway.
For example, did you know Wisconsin is home to 21 islands? It’s true.
That being said, Chippewa Valley is undoubtedly the state’s most underrated winter getaway, and as more visitors make their way here, it’s inevitable to see even more attractions pop up, especially since Chippewa Valley talks a big game as a ‘year-round destination’.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.